Women's Rights activist and social reformist, Leelai M. Kpukuyou-Browne has admonished married women who are going through various forms of domestic or marital abuse to speak up.

Madam Kpukuyou-Browne believes women in these situations should not feel imprisoned by their wedding or engagement rings; adding that societal beliefs and perceptions should not force one to endure abusive relationships.

According to her, married women ought to "understand that your story should end up in a way that you triumph. Do not stay and feel imprisoned by a ring”.

She intimated that, "I want my story to become a key to help unlock other women. By other women, not just underprivileged and undeserved women but professional and privileged women who have to keep up faces. Start living as a result of what genuinely you feel within and stop caring so much about society’s impression. You will die trying to impress people. They will talk, they will keep talking. Get in your space of authority and truth."

She was speaking on The StandPoint with Oheneyere Gifty Anti on JoyPrime.

Madam Leelai continued that, “I am by no means encouraging any woman to walk away from their relationship. I still believe in love, relationship and I still believe in marriage. I will absolutely love and marry again. I am not transferring aggression to anyone but at the same time do not feel imprisoned”.

She stressed that most professional women are unable to speak up when faced with cases of domestic abuse because of how society perceives them to be strong and act as role models to young women. They therefore endure the abuse and smile through the pain to please others in the society.

Currently, the women's rights activist is on a journey to help women especially professional women to stand in their authority and fight domestic abuse and societal stereotypes.

About Leelai M. Kpukuyou-Browne

Leelai M. Kpukuyou-Browne is a highly decorated Trade and Investment Expert, Women’s rights advocate, and Philanthropist. Over the course of her career, she has been the recipient of the Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) for her dedication to post-conflict peace negotiations and post-war economic development in the Republic of Liberia.

As an international public figure involved in Liberia’s governance and political tapestry, Leelai has been involved in several international civil service and development assignments, as a senior Trade and Investment consultant and Technical Advisor to the African Union Commission Department of Trade and Industry, the United Nations (UN), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the High Commission for the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

Remaining cognizant of her personal encounters with war, displacement, and domestic violence, Leelai established the African Youth and Women Empowerment Initiative (AYOWEI). AYOWEI, a non-governmental organization incorporated in the United States and the Republic of Liberia, seeks to develop youth and women in Liberia through socio-economic aid and affirmative action.